Luke 3:21-38
Q.1. How was Jesus recognized as the Son of God? Why would the Father express His approval of His Son? – (Lk.3:21-22)
There were several miraculous events accompanying the baptism of Jesus, according to the writer Luke – 22 (1) … Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove (Lk.3:21-22). (2) … a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (Lk.3:22). According to the testimony of John the Baptist – 31 I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” (Jn.1:31-34). Mostly, it was the direct words of the Father in Heaven that bestowed Sonship on Jesus. However, up to this time, the life of Jesus had been private. He did not begin His formal ministry until after His baptism and temptation. Why, then, did the Father express His pleasure in Jesus at this time? Since His birth, Jesus had lived a perfect life, and He always would (Heb.5:7-9). Jesus’ submission to baptism indicated that He was identifying with sinners and was taking up His mission as the Lamb of God Who would take away the sins of the world (Jn.1:29). This brought great delight to the heart of God (c.f. Jn.10:17).
Q.2. Whose Son was Jesus? – (Lk.3:22-23)
We have already established that Jesus was the Son of God. Mary, mother of Jesus, was a virgin and asked how it was possible that she would give birth to a son. The archangel Gabriel informed her – The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most-High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God (Lk.1:34-35). Joseph did not father the Child but adopted Him by marrying Mary after she became pregnant (Mt.1:25). Adoption was very significant in those days when the life expectancy was low. Families often took on the children of people who had died. Adoption is highly significant for the child of God because that is how we enter into God’s family (Rom.8:15-16; Eph.1:5). Luke simply explained the relationship this way – Jesus was about thirty years of age, being as was supposed, the son of Joseph (Lk.3:23). God commanded Moses to number all males from twenty years and above. The priests were not to be numbered before they were thirty (c.f. Num.1:1-3 c.f. Num.4:1-3). Jesus was now at the mature age that a High Priest needed to be (Heb.5:5-6; 7:11-22).
Q.3. Whose genealogy does Luke give? Did it matter? – (Lk.3:23)
Luke’s genealogy moves backward from Jesus to Adam, whereas Matthew’s genealogy moves forward from Abraham to Joseph. The MacArthur Bible Commentary gives an excellent explanation of the discrepancies between the two genealogies. Luke’s genealogy gives Mary’s bloodline whereas Matthew’s genealogy gives Joseph’s royal descent, that was passed onto Jesus through the legal father (Mt.1:1-17; Lk.3:23-38). This mattered because the Messiah was prophesied to come through the lineage of King David. It also underscores God’s acceptance of the judicial basis of the believer’s adoption into God’s family … and the substitution of Christ’s death in the place of sinners.